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Members of Calís Recruiting Class Excel Nationally

10 future Golden bears compete in United States Rowing Youth National Championships

By Cal Athletics on Tue, July 02, 2013

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BERKELEY – Days after the California women’s rowing program secured an NCAA title in the varsity eight and placed second overall as team at the national championship regatta, several members of the Golden Bears’ incoming recruiting class captured their own crowns.

A total of 10 future Golden Bears raced at the United States Rowing Youth National Championships on Melton Lake in Oakridge, Tenn. June 7-9. On a stage that showcases the nation’s top prep rowing talent, the 10 individuals recorded standout achievements and captured multiple honors during the two-day event.

Bridget Kontinnen, out of Redwood High School in Larkspur, Calif., rowed for the Marin Rowing Association. Kontinnen rowed seven seat in the 8+ shell that placed first, and took home the national title, in the Women’s Youth 8+ ‘A’ Grand Final.

In the Lightweight 8+ Youth ‘A’ Grand Final, Vicki Jorgensen out of Princeton, N.J., stroked the Mercer Juniors to a third place finish, taking home a bronze medal. Finishing right behind Jorgensen was her future teammate Sidney Clark out of St. Francis High School, who was rowing for the Los Gatos Rowing Club.

Five additional future Golden Bears rowed in eight shells at the Youth National Championships. Johanna Roth, for Green Lake Crew of Seattle, Wash, helped her team to a fifth place finish in the ‘B’ final with a time that was 11th-best overall. From Los Gatos, Calif, Shelby Schwerm helped the Los Gatos Rowing Club finish second in the ‘C’ final, putting them 14th overall. Rowing for the Pocock Juniors, also out of Seattle, future Bears, Rachel Lether, Kendall Ritter, and Franny Wood took fourth in ‘C’ final. Their time put them in 16th overall for the weekend.

Two individuals doubled in events during the weekend. Dani Stuck, rowing for the Stanford Juniors out of Redwood City, Calif. took home two bronze medals. She placed third in both the 1x ‘A’ and the 2x ‘A’ Grand Finals. The other double-threat, Hailey Drangsholt, raced in the Women’s 2- ‘A’ and took home the bronze. Drangsholt, who was rowing for the Commencement Bay Rowing Club from Tacoma, Wash., also raced in the 4+ Semifinal.

Each of these individuals will enroll at Cal this fall and begin their collegiate rowing career with the Golden Bears. You can follow the Bears all year long on their official Twitter handle @CalWCrew.